Leaders Bridge beaten again

Sowerby Bridge were beaten for the second successive Saturday and have seen their lead at the top of Division One in the Halifax League shrink to two points.

Southowram head the chasers and Cullingworth, who beat Bridge by seven wickets at Walton Street yesterday, are only one point further back.

Cullingworth not only beat Bridge but must have shaken their confidence with a seven-wicket success.

Dave Robinson took 7-44 to limit the hosts to 164. Opener Ben Burkill then stroked a 12-boundary 73 not out to seal victory and he needs only a further 72 to reach 1,000 runs for the season.

Southowram were 30 run winners at Blackley with long-serving Dean Crossley again showing his value to the side.

Crossley top scored with 77 and there were other good contributions from Jason Wilkinson (52) and Ashley Johnson (58) as the Rams posted 258 for five.

Blackley were hot in pursuit when Freddie Fox (102) and Jason Baxter (55) added 153 for the third wicket but occasional bowler Crossley dismissed them both and two more Blackley players as the hosts had to settle for 228 for nine.

Bridgeholme are also very much in the promotion hunt.

Nazakat Al and Aqib Mahmood took four wickets apiece as struggling Stones mustered only 112 against them at Ripponden. Chris Kibble’s 36 not out saw the Eastwood side to a six-wicket win.